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South Korea and Belhaven Celebrate Opening of International Center

July 5, 2016 (Jackson, Miss.) – Belhaven University and guests from South Korea celebrated the opening of the Dr. Billy Kim International Center during the Service of Dedication on June 26, 2016.A large crowd gathered for the ceremony that paid tribute to broadcaster, pastor and influential speaker Dr. Billy Kim. After the ribbon cutting and a performance by the world-famous FEBC Korea Children’s Choir, Governor Phil Bryant gave the dedication address.

Dr. Dan Jones, former chancellor of University of Mississippi, and Dr. John M. Gregory, chairman and CEO of Gregory Pharmaceutical Holdings and Mrs. Robbie Hughes gave special remarks. Dr. Kim then took the stage and expressed his gratitude on behalf of the many involved with the international center.

Later in the service, Belhaven President Dr. Roger Parrott read a congratulatory letter from former U.S. President George W. Bush. After a prayer of dedication from Senior Vice President and Provost Dr. Dan Fredricks, participants enjoyed a reception on the new building's plaza.

The multi-purpose conference center highlights the importance of global perspectives in higher education as well as celebrates the relationship Belhaven University and Jackson, Mississippi has with South Korea.

The 16,000 square foot, two-story facility has a flexible design that allows for diverse programming within the building. The international center can be reserved by outside organizations for conferences and events.

The upper level of the center provides a flexible conference space that allows theatre-style seating for 300 guests or banquet-style seating for 200 people. This large area can be divided into break-out rooms seating 25 to 30 each at seminar tables or 50 to 60 in theater-style seating. This level also holds a large serving kitchen to support the conference facility, and a large lobby for gathering before and after functions.

The lower level includes study, gathering and learning spaces, where large or multiple small groups can work together. This level includes a teaching center for both the international studies academic major and the English as a second language course of study. Seminar rooms vary in size and have flexible furnishings that allow lectures as well as group project learning. A dedicated prayer room is also on the lower level.

Watch the Dr. Billy Kim International Center Service of Dedication.

The FEBC Korea Children’s Choir performed the night of the dedication ceremony. Watch the complete performance below.